Radiator cap



L. A. SWEET RADIATOR CAP Aug. 20, 1929.

2 sneeis-she'et Filed Feb. 14. 1924 Aug- 20? 929 l L. A. SWEET 1,724,973

RADIATOR CAP Filed Feb. 14. 1924 2 SheetS-Sheei 2 Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES l14,724,978 PATENT critica.-

LAURENCE A. SWEET, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, `.BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ADA WEST LANGFORD, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALHORNIA.

RADIATOR CAP.

Application led February 14, 1924. Serial No. 692,748.

My invention relates to radiator caps, adapted to be attached to the filling tubes of motor vehicle radiators, to replace the old type of screw cap heretofore commonly used. Radiator caps of this character have a twofold object; one, to provide a water tight closure for the filling tube, which may be easily and quickly opened and closed for filling purposes; and another to vsupply a mounting for a motor meter, so the latter may be supported with the lower 'end of its temperature responsive element suspended within the space interior of the' radiator 'above the water level, in position to be affected by its internal temperature.

In order to prevent theft of the cap, as a whole, I provide means for locking it uponthe radiator filling tube; and to prevent theft of the motor meter I provide means for locking it upon the cap, in such manner that it will not interfere with its openlng and closing for filling.

My cap comprises essentially a base mem- `ber, adapted to be secured to the radiator filling tube and a closure cap, hlnge'dly mounted thereon; the motor meter eing rigidly mounted upon the latter so that it is moved out of the way with it when opened for filling.

In this case my invention resides primarily in providing novel means for locking the cap upon the filling spout of the radiator and the combination therewith of a hingedly mounted closure cap, which carries the motor meter, consisting of two parts, i. e., a sealing cap and a latching cap; the latter embodying new and novel means for effecting its sealing and locking.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the preferred specific embodiment of my invention, in which 1 Figure l is a front elevation showing a motor meter attached;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the motor meter in dot dash lines and the latching cap in latched position;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section thereof, taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

ig. 4 is a plan view similar to that shown in F1 2, only showing the latching cap turne to its unlatched position;

Fig. .5.is a plan view with the latching cap removed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view taken from the side illustrating the closure cap in open position; y

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section through 'the sealing cap, taken as indicated' by the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fra entary transverse sectional view throng the latching cap, taken as indicated by the line 8--8 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through the base,taken as indicated by the line 9-9 of Fi 5. Before proceeding to a detailed description of the cap I may mention that it' is de? signed to be mounted upon the filling tube of the radiator so its lateral arms normall extend transversely of the -longitudinal axis of the vehicle. That is, when mounted upon a vehicle, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the cap as it appears when looking at it from directly in front of the vehicle radiator. In Fig. 4 the viewV is the samevas that illustrated in Fig. 2, in so far as the base portion is concerned, while the latching cap is shown turned 'to unlatched position to permit raising it; and Fig. 6 illustrates the cap raised, but the 'View is taken from the side, as indicated by the lines 6-6 in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

Referring first to Figs.. 1 to 6, the numeral I 10 'designates a base member and 11 designates generallyA a closure cap hingedly mounted thereon; while 12 indicates a motor meter carried by the closure cap 11.

The base 10 is in the form of a collar, having an internally screw-threaded bore 13 for engagement with the externally screwthreaded upper end of a radiator filling tube 14` these parts being clearly illustrated 'in Fig. 3. It is of substantially uniform thick:

ness, except that diametrically opposed bosses -bore 13 of the base, so the inner pointed ends 18 of screws 16 may be tightened against the threads of the filling tube14 to lock the base in place. The screws 16 will preferably be be removed except by drilling them out; an

difficult and unauthorized recould be immedioperation which would be so take so much time that an moval of the cap, in public, ately detected.

The closure cap 11 consists of two parts viz., an inner sealing cap 19 and an outer latching cap 20, the latter being relatively rof case the sealing cap tatable upon the cap 19 for purposes to which 1 will presently advert. For clarity of def scription I will hereinafter refer to the cap' 19 as the sealing cap, the cap 2O as. the latching cap and the combination of both as the closure cap.

The sealing cap 19 is substantially cylindrical having a slightly conoidal perimeter; the latter for the purpose of more conveniently fitting the latching cap thereto. An integral arm 21 extends radially from arjacent the bottom of the sealing cap 19; its outer end 22 being cylindrical about a transverse axis so that it will fit fairly closely within a similarly formed recess 23 in one of the bosses 15 (Fig. 3) and through both of which the hinge pin 24 extends. After its insertion the pin 24 is peaned over at its outer ends to prevent removal, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 With this type of hinge connection-that is, setting the hinge portion of the arm down into a-reeess in the boss 15-it cannot be easily broken ofi:` and the closure cap and motor meter stolen as would be the case if the bosses 'were smaller, set outwardly away from the body portion of the cap and not protected by the metal as in this oase. The top 25 of the cap 19 is substantially flat and has an axial bore 26 extending therethrough at a. uniform-diameter for a short distance from this top then is widened out, as at 27, in'a conoidal configuration, to provide an open space into which the lower end 12a of the motor meter is suspended. The sealing cap 19, and its bore 26, are co-axial with the base 15; and is so mounted that its bottom end 28, when in closedposition, lies in a plane below the top edge 29, as shown in Fig. 3. A peripheral flange 28a around the bottom of the sealing cap provides a sealing face of sufficient width to effect a water tight closure when the cap 11 is in closed position. l

A locking plate 30,-having a concentric opening 31, making it, in effect, a ring, is ad- ]ustably secured within the bore 13 of the base 10 by means of peripheral screw-threads which engage the internal screw-threads of the latter. A rubber gasket 32 is supported upon the plate 30 in position to be engaged by the bottom face 28 of the closure cap 19 in effecting the water tight seal. The platte 30 is thus screw-threadedly adjustable in the bore 13 and will act as a stop for the top edge 33 of the filling tube 14 so the base 10 will be securely held in proper position upon the vehicle. Ordinarily a rubber gasket 32a will be interposed between the plate 3() and the top edge 33 of the tube 14 to effect a water tight closure between it and the base 10.'

The latching cap 2O is preferably of the configuration shown, so it will substantially en- 19 and be supported upon its top face 25.l It has an annular down- 'Ill turned fiange 34 around its bottom edge which 'extends .over the top edge 29 of the base 10'; the bosses 15 being recessed across their top s,

as at 35 to accommodate it. 1t has diametrically opposed, co-axial, laterally extending arms 36, preferably'formed integral therewith, by means of which it is rotated to effect its latching and unlatching engagement with the base. A central, circular aperture 37 is cutin its top through which the bottom portion 12a of the motor meter extends; the latter having a base flange 38 extending over its top, which covers the aperture 37 and retains it in revoluble relation to the sealing cap 19.

Internal latching lugs 39 are formed 'integral with the cap 2O and extend radial to its axis. These lugs have inner inclined faces 40 to conform to the conoidal perimeter of the sealing cap 19, as shown in Fig. 8. "Thus when the cap 2O is placed upon the cap 19 the Y faces 40 form an additional support therefor by sliding engagement with its perimeter. Lugs 39 extend below the bottom edge 41 of the cap 20 and have recesses 42 adjacent their bottom ends extending inwardly from their outer sides providing shoulders 43 for engagement beneath inwardly extending, segmental latching bosses 44, formed integral with the top edge ofthe base 10. The top faces of the bosses are flush with the top edge 29 of the base, but their lower faces 45 are inclined making them wedge shaped, as shown in Fig. 6, to effect a co-operativ'e wedg ing engagement with the shoulders 43 when the cap 2O is turned from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 2

The position and relative sizes of the bosses 44 are shown in Fig. 5, as is also the position of the lugs 39; the latter being shown in solid lines when in latching engagement and in dot dash lines whenmovcd to releasing or unlatched position. It may be here mentioned that the positions of the lugs 39 upon the cap 20 are such that when the cap is in latched position, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, they will be in engagement with the thickest ends of the bosses 44 (shown in solid lines in Fig. 5) and when it is moved to the positions illustrated in-Figs. 4 and 6,1ugs 39 will be moved out of engagement therewith (as illustrated in dot dash lines in Fig. 5) so the cap 11 may be raised from the position shown in megeve Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 6, for filling the radiator.

The cap 2O is held in revoluble relation to the cap 19 (shown in Fig. 3) by means of flange 38 and vlower end 12a of the motor meter. In Fig. 7 I have illustrated means for securing the motor meter against removal and for utilizing it to hold the locking cap 20 in revoluble relation to the cap 19. This consists of a boss 46 thrown out on one side of the cap 19 through'which an internally screwthreaded bore 47 extends; this bore having an outer enlarged counter bore 48. A one-way screw 49 engages in the bore 47 and by its inner end engaging the lower end 12a of the motor meter, the latter is securely held in place and against theft. The counterbore 48 v accommodates the head 49 of the screw and also affords space for packing 50. One-way screws being well known it is readily understood how, after the motor meter 12 is thus secured in place by means of the screw 49, its theft will be prevented.

In the use 'of my cap, the motor meter is first secured to the closure cap 11 in the manner just described, which also retains the latching cap 20 in rotatable relation relative to the sealing cap 19.

In mounting the base 10 upon the filling tube 14, the locking ring 30 is screwed up close to the inner end of the bore 13 and then the base screwed down upon the tube 14 to the desired position, with the laterally extending arms 36-when the closure cap 11 is in latehed posit-ionextending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. After this is done the plate 30 is then screwed down until it tightly engages the top end 33 of the tube 14 or the gasket 32a when it is used. For this purpose indents 51 are made in this top which may be engaged by a punch for rotating it. After the plate 30 is thus adjusted the locking screws 16 are inserted and screwed up against the screw-threads of the filling tube 14, and their outer ends 16B broken off so the remaining ends are substantially flush with the adjacent faces of bosses 15. After adjustment of plate 30 the gasket 32 is inserted. A feature of the ring 30 is that it' may be screwed down upon the tube 14 or gasket 32 at any time, to tighten the base 10 thereon, without the necessity of adjusting the screws 16.

To open the cap for filling the radiator the latching cap 20 is turned, by means of the lateral arms 36, from the position illustrated in Fig. 2 to that illustrated in Fig. 4. This carries the latching lugs 39 from the positions illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 5 to those shown in dot dash lines, leaving the shoulders 43 free of the under inclined wedge faces 45 of the latching bosses 44. After this the cap 11 may be raised from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig.

After filling, the cap 11 is again lowered ing the bottom end 28 of the sealing cap 19 in sealing engagement with the gasket 32.

The efficacy of the locking plate 30 is apparent when it is understood that it would be practically impossible to cut screw-threads in the bore 13 so that when the base is screwed down tight on the tube 14 the arms 36 would extend transversely across the vehicle. vVith the arrangement described the base 10 may be screwed down upon the tube 14 to the desired extent; that is, so the bottom end 28 of the sealing cap 19 will properly engage the gasket 32, after which the plate 30 may be reversely rotated until it tightly engages the top edge 31 of the'tube 14; and this, together with the locking screws 16, will hold the base 10 in fixed position when once properly set.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred specific embodiment of my invention, I nevertheless reserve the right to make such changes or modifications in structure as will come within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, if it is not desired to attach a motor meter 12 to the cap, the latching cap 20 may be revolubly attached to the sealing cap 19, by means of a stud, having a shank and head conforming in configuration to the lower end 12 the motor meter 12, and be secured in place in the manner above described. Also, while I have herein shown and described my invention as being embodied 'in a radiator ca I do not wish it to be understood that this is any limitation upon it, as the principles of my device may be embodied in various types of closure means for different kinds of tanks and the like.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a radiator filling tube, a

lmember hingedly mounted on the base, and a closure cap mounted on said hinged member to rotate relative to the base, there being cooperative latching means on said cap and base whereby rotation of the cap will effect its engagement and disengagement.

2. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a radiator filling tube, a closure for said base comprising a sealing ca p hingedly mounted on the base and a latching cap rotatably mounted on the sealing cap, and co-operative latching members on the latching cap and hase whereby rotation of the cap will efl'ect their engagement and disengagement.

3. A radiator cap comprising a tubular base adapted to be mounted on a radiator fillrieslugs 39 from'the positions shown in dot and flange 38 of ing tube, a closure for said base comprising a sealing cap hingedly mounted within the base and a latching cap rotatably mounted on the sealing cap,l andco-operative latching members on-the latching cap and base wvhereby rotation of the cap will effect the1r engagement and disengagement.

y ing a sealing cap'hingedly mounted Within and concentric with tlieba'se and a latching cap rotatably mounted on the sealing cap, latching bosses on the base, complementary co-operative latching lugs on the latching cap, said bosses and .lugs being arranged so rotation of the cap will effe'ct their latchirrg and unlatching engagement. v

5. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a. radiator filling tube having an opening in its top, a closure for said opening comprising a sealing cap hingedly mounted on the base and extending into and concentric with said opening, a latching cap rotatably mounted on the sealing cap, and co-operative latching members on the latchingA cap and base whereby rotat-ion of the cap will eiect their latching and unlatching engagement.

6. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a radiatorfilling tube having an opening in its top, a closure for said opening comprising a cap hingedly and relatively rotatably mounted on the base,.a wedge shaped latching boss on one of said members and a complementary co-operative latching lug on the other of said members, said latching boss and lug being arranged so that rotation of the cap will effect their latching and unlatching engagement.

7. A radiator caplcomprising a base adapted to be mounted on a radiator filling tube having an opening in its top, a closure for said opening comprising a sealing cap hingedly mounted on the base and extending into and concentric with said opening, a

latching cap rotatably mounted on the seal-4: ing cap, a wedge shaped latching boss on the" base and a complementary co-operative latching lug on the latching cap, said latching members being arranged so that rotation of the cap Will effect their latching and unlatching engagement.

8. A radiator cap comprising a tubular base adapted to be mounted on a filling tube of a radiator, a locking ring adjustably mounted within the bore of the base adapted to engage the top of the filling tube, a closure for the base comprising a sealing cap adapted to effect a sealing'engagement withsaid ring and a latching cap co-operatively engaging the base to hold said sealingcap in closed osition.

9. T 1e combination with a radiator filling tube, of a radiator cap comprising a substantially tubular base and a closure therefor, said base having an internally screw-threaded bore for attachment to said filling tube and a locking ring screW-threadedly mounted in said bore adapted to adjustably engage the top of the filling. tubeto lock the ase in place; said closure comprising a sealing cap hingedly mounted on the base so its bottom edge will engage said ring when in closedposition, and a latching cap rotatably mounted on the closure cap, there being cooperative latching means on the latching cap and base whereby rotation of the cap Will effect their latching and unlatching engagement.

10. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a radiator filling tube, a closure for said base comprising a sealing cap, having an aperture in its top, hingedly mounted on the base and a latching cap extending over the sealing cap and having an aperture in its top adapted to register with the aperture in the sealing cap, a motor meter having a tubular lower end eX- tending through said registering apertures and into the sealing cap and a peripheral flange engaging the topof the latching cap, means to lock said motor meter to the sealing cap; there beinfr co-operativelatching means on the base and latching cap whereby rotation of the cap will effect their latching and unlatching engagement.

11. A radiator cap comprising a base having an opening therethrough adapted to be mounted on a radiator filling tube, a sealing cap hingedl mounted on the base to efiecta closure of t e opening in the base, latching means concentrically mounted on the sealing cap and rotatable relative thereto, said means being adapted to effect a latching engagement with the base by rotation thereof.

12, A tank closure comprisinga base, a support, means for movably, permanently attaching the support to the base, a cap swivelly and permanently attached to the support against lateral and longitudinal movement inde endently thereof, and means for temporari y locking the cap to the base.

13. A tank Closure comprising a base having an opening therethrough, .a support, means for pivotally and permanently attaching the support to the base, a cap pivotally attached to the'support against lateralmand longitudinal movement independently thereof and closing the opening through said base, and means for temporarily locking the cap to the base.

14. A tank closure comprising a base having an opening therethrough, a support, a hinge for attaching the support to the base, a cap swivelly attached to the support against lateral and longitudinal movement independently thereof and closing the opening through said base, and means for locking the cap in engagement with the base.

15. A tank closure comprising a base having a locking slot with an opening thereinto, a support, a hinge for attaching the support to the base, and a cap swivelly attached to the support against lateral and longitudinal movement independently thereof and having a lug to pass through said opening and to engage said slot to look the cap to the base.

16. A tank closure comprising a base and a cap, one of said members having a locking slot for engagement-by a lug on the other member to secure the cap in looked position, a support to which said cap is swivelling attached against lateral and longitudinal Inovement independently of said support, and a hinge for attaching the support to the base.

17. A tank closure comprising a-base having a looking slot, a support, a hinge for attaching the support to the base, and a cap swivelly attached to the support against lateral and lon itudinal `movement independently thereofg and having a lug to pass into iand engage said slot to lock the cap to the ase.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 1st day of February 1924.

LAURENCE A. SWEET.

DISCLAIMER 1,724,978.Laurenee A. Sweet, Los Angeles, Calif. RADIATOR CAP. Patent dated August 20, 1929. Disclaimer filed April 12, 1934, by the assignee, Ada PVest Langford. Hereby enters the following disclaimer, to wit: 1. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 12 all closures excepting radiator caps or the like comprising an annular base adapted to be applied to the open end of a filling tube and carrying the covering cap rotatably hinged thereto and having an inwardly projecting annular flange against which fiange a sealing cap hinged to the base with the covering cap and lying below said cap is adapted to seat to close the open end of the filling tube.

2. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 13 all closures except radiator caps and i the like of the type comprising an annular base adapted to fit a filling tube, a sealing cap connected by a hinged support to the base and having a small aperture therein located centrally of the base, and a covering cap covering said support and sealing cap and rotatably swiveled over said support at said aperture.

3. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 14 all closures except radiator caps and the like comprising an annular base adapted to be applied to the open end of a filling tube, said base carrying the hinged support; the said support extending into the interior of the covering cap, the latter being supported thereon and having a rotatable engagement therewith in the interior of the cap adjacent its center, said hinged support carrying a sealing cap below the point of rotational engagement with the covering cap for sealing the open end of the filling tube.

4. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 15` all closures except radiator caps and the like comprising an annular base adapted to be applied to the open end of a filling tube, a sealing cap hinged to said base and adapted to lclose the opening in said filling tube and having a centrally located aperture, a covering cap over said support and rotatably mounted thereon and carrying a stud which enters said aperture.

5. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 16 all closures except radiator caps and the like comprising an annular base adapted to be applied to the open end of a filling tube and having an inwardly projecting flange adapted to seat on the end of the filling tube, a support hinged to said b ase and carrying a sealing cap adapted to seat against the upper face of said flange and seal the opening through said base, and a covering cap over said sealing cap and being rotatably supported on its interior by said support.

6. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 17 all closures except radiator caps and the like comprising an annular base adapted to be applied to the open end of a filling tube and having an inwardly projecting flange adapted to seat on the end of the filling tube, a support hinged to said base and carrying an annular sealing rib adapted to seat against the upper face of said flange, and a covering cap rotatably connected on its interior with said support.

[Oficial Gazette May 1, 1934.] 

